Saddam Hussein Facts

Saddam Hussein Facts

Saddam Hussein is best known for serving as Iraq's fifth President, in power when the U.S. invaded Iraq. He was later hanged for war crimes. He served from July 1979 until April 9th, 2001. He was born Saddam Hussein Abd al-Majid al-Tikriti on April 28th, 1937, to Subha Tulfah al Mussallat, and Hussein 'Abd al-Majid. Shortly after his birth Saddam was sent to live with his maternal uncle as his father had disappeared six months before his birth. His brother died of cancer immediately after his birth. When his mother remarried when he was three, he returned to live with her. When he was ten he fled his cruel stepfather and returned to his uncle. He later became a leading member of the Arab Socialist Ba-ath Party and then the Iraqi Ba'ath Party, before becoming President in 1979.

Interesting Saddam Hussein Facts:

Saddam Hussein was married to three women when he was executed in 2006. His wives were Khairallah Talfah (m. 1963), Samira al Shahbandar (m. 1986), and Nidal al-Hamdani (m. 1990).

Saddam Hussein had several children including a son with Samira, two sons with Sajida, and three daughters with Sajida as well.

Sajida, Saddam's first wife, was his first cousin and daughter of the uncle who helped raised him.

Saddam Hussein graduated from the University of Baghdad College of Law in 1968.

Saddam Hussein's religion was Sunni Muslim.

Many of Saddam Hussein's regime were also members of his family, including the Minister of Defense Brig. General Adnan Khairallah (brother-in-law), head of the Iraqi Olympic Committee (his son Uday), head of Internal Security Forces (his son Qusay), and Deputy Minister of Justice (half-brother Busho Ibrahim).

The coup that put Saddam Hussein's party in power in 1968 was bloodless. At the time Saddam was secretary and acting deputy chairman to the Revolutionary Command Council. He was promoted to lieutenant general in 1973.

In 1976 Saddam was promoted to general.

In 1979 Saddam Hussein became Iraq's fifth president.

In 1980 Iraq attacked Iran by air, in a war that would result in one million dead and a stalemate in 1988.

In 1990 Iraq invaded Kuwait and the Persian Gulf War began. The U.S. and other countries launched Operation Desert Storm and freed Kuwait and ended the invasion.

In 1995 Saddam was re-elected as President of Iraq.

In 1998, after Saddam refused to allow weapons inspectors into Iraq, the U.S. and Britain launched Operation Desert Fox, which involved air strikes.

In 2002 Saddam finally agreed to allow inspectors into the country, to avoid serious military consequences.

In 2003 the Gulf War began.

In 2003 Saddam Hussein was captured, and in 2004 he appeared in court for the first time.

Saddam Hussein was tried for war crimes, including the 1982 Dujail massacre.

In 2006 Saddam Hussein was convicted of crimes and sentenced to hang. The appeal failed.

On December 30th, 2006, Saddam Hussein was hanged in Baghdad. He was buried near Tikrit the next day.

Saddam Hussein was found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The weapons of mass destruction that prompted the U.S. invasion were never found.